Semiautomatic pin-setting-up and ball-returning apparatus for bowling alleys



1952 J. E. LAFERRIERE 2,584,596

SEMIAUTOMATIC PIN-SETTING-UP AND BALL-RETURNING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed Feb. 5, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet l 1N VEN TOR.

bsepfiE Zqferzwre.

\ diiig 5.

Feb. 5, 1952 LAFERRlERE 2,584,596

' SEMIAUTOMATIC PIN-SETTING-UP AND BALL-RETURNING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed Feb. 5, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JosepH.ELaJ62?" 7/6262 Feb. 5, 1952 J, LAFERQIERE 2,584,596

SEMIAUTOMATIC PIN-SETTING-UF AND BALL-RETURNING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed Feb. 5, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

@ 5 E130; err'zke re 1952 J. E. LAFERRIERE 2,584,596

SEMIAUTOMATIC PIN-SETTING-UP AND BALLRETURNING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 5, 1949 Fi .6 Moron N0 77 40 as 66 as INVENTOR. Jbse vh Left: Y'TZ eZ'a M} Z A222, /-m /M Feb. 5, 1952 .1. E. LAFERRIE 2,584,596

SEMIAUTOMATIC PIN-SETTING-UP A BALL-RETURNING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed Feb. 5, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. 0 Jose I/l La 6??662'6. 7.9 UBY J AFERRIERE 2,584,596 TTING-UP AND BALL-RETURNING 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOI'Z. dbsepAELgfeTT26 BY fiw fim W M APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEY-S SEMIAUT'OMATIC PIN- Feb. 5, 1952 Filed Feb. 5, 1949 ,li all;

QQCQQL J. E. LAFERRIERE 2,584,596 SEMIAUTOMATIC PIN-SETTING-UP AND BALL-RETURNING Feb. 5, 1952 APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb. 5. 1949 mm m EhiK 4 8 v m Patented Feb. 5, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics SEMIAUTOMATIC PIN-SETTING- UP AND BALL-RETURNING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Joseph E. Laferriere, Boston, Mass.

Application February 5, 1949,-Serial'N0. 74,782' 24 Claims. (01. 273-44)- 1 This invention relates-:1. to player-operated means-for positioning-pins of :bowling alleys and for; returning the balls to'theplayer-end thereof,

and is an-"improvement upon the-constructions.

shown in" my Patents No; 2,361,482, October 31, 1944,. and No. 2,440,013, April 20,1948.

Inporder that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have disclosed a single embodiment thereof, in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. .l'is a plan'rview'zofthe rear: portion of the apparatus constituting my invention; 1

Fig. 1A is a detail partly in section of switch" #2 andxits operating means;

Fig. '1B"is a detail representinga cord from oneof: the playing .pins wrapped: about one of the four power-driven shaftsithat are horizontally supported at: the upper part of the apparatus directly above the setting-oppositions of the pins;

Fig. 2 is a verticaltransverse section through the two guide plates,- both'of which" plates are there shown in their lowermost positions;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on a transverse irregular lineand representing the playing pins as-elevated into the openings in the lower guide plate and into contact with the upper guide plate;

Fig-.4 is a plan viewof the .upper guideplate;

Fig. 5 is a plan'view of the lower guide plate;

Fig. 6 is a right-hand side elevation of a portion of the apparatus at the setting-up position of :theplaying pins, the-floor of the bowling alley being shown in vertical section;

Figr'? is'a rear elevation of the portion of the apparatus shownin Fig; 6, partly in section on r.

the lin'e1"'! of Fig.1;

Fig;:-5TA is a detail intransverse section through the-vertically sliding memberthat operates certain switches a 7 Fig.8 is' a plan view of thatportion of the apparatus thatiis forward of the structure shown inFig; 1 and represents the continuation to the player-end of :the apparatus of the ten cords shown in-Fig; '1, which cords are respectively con- 7 nected to the playing pins;

Fig. .9 is a diagrammatic representation of the electric motor for the receptacle-elevator and I 01f by oneof .the switches andthe direction of rotationof the elevator-motor bein reversed by another of the said switches; and

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of the electric motor for applying power to shafts, about which pass the cords from the playing pins, and the switch for controlling said motor.

An important purpose of my invention isto provide not only mechanical means for setting up of the playing pins of bowling -alleys after one or more or all of the playing pins have been .7 knocked down, or all the balls have been played, but also to provide mechanical means for redead wood from the floor or moving the setting-up. area immediately after the rolling of each ball, or at such other time or times as desired and also to provide means to return the balls to the player-end of the bowling alley.

The size andproportion of parts may be widely varied within the scope of my invention, the pins may be of any desired size, shape and number, Iv

and the size of the balls will be varied accordingly. My invention provides means for bowling according to the usual rules of play. In the selected embodiment of the invention, the pins are represented as so-called Boston pins, but theymay be bottle pins or some other type or character of pin.

Inthe disclosed embodiment of the invention,-. the playing pins are represented as ten in number, and forclearness of description they are" numbered I to H] respectively, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, certain of the playing pins being shown in elevation in other figures. arrangement of the playing pins, when set up,

is inthe present disclosure, the usual triangular arrangement indicated in Fig. 1, and is evident from the arrangement of the holes in the two guide plates to be referred to. The invention is, however, in no wise limited to any particular size orproportion of parts and any material or materials may be employed for the various parts, such'as wood, metal, etc.

Referrin more particularly to the drawings, where a single embodiment only of the invention is shown, and first referring briefly to Figs. 1 to 8, it will be noted that I have assigned the numerals la to Illa to the cords which lead re-- spectively from the playing pins l to 10.

- It will be understood that the ten cords la;

to lila'extend from the playing pins l to ill VET tieally to and over or about four shafts, shown in Fig. 1, which will be presently referred to in detail. The said ten cords la to Ilia then pass forwardly in a horizontal path, as shown" The in Fig. 8 and indicated in part in Fig. 1, until they reach the player-end of the apparatus; 1

to the player-end of the apparatus and there-- desirably pass over ten pulleys supported in the I upright framing of the apparatus which upright framing at that point may be similar to.

that shown at the player-end of the bowling" alley in Figs. 10 and 11 of my said Patent No? 2,440,013. The said pulleys are not shown in Fig. 8- of this application, but there is indicated a transversely extending portion l4 of the framing of the apparatus over which'the said cords" One of said channel members is indicated in Fig. 6. Upon each of the said two longitudi nally extending channel members 22, 23, there are supported four shaft bearings. Upon one of said members there are four bearings 28 and upon the other member there are four bearings 29 in parallelism with the respective bearings 28, and in the respective pairs of said bearings 28, 29 there are supported four horizontally positioned shafts 30, 3|, 32 and 33, which are, in the present embodiment of my invention, so located that theshaft 30 is directly above the four pins 1, 8, 9, l0; the shaft 3| is directly above the three pins 4, 5, 6; the shaft 32 is directly above the two pins 2, 3; and the shaft 33 is directly above the one pin I. These four shafts are of relatively small diameter and are desirably smooth, as I have found such lb to l0b pass, and at which'location pulleys may be provided as'shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of my said Patent No. 2,440,013.

Each of the said ten supplemental cords l b to lll b is provided with a corresponding handle lc to l0c, shown in Fig. 8. It will be noted, viewing Fig. 8, that the ten cords la to Illa at a certain point, which is desirably about where the ten supplemental cords lb to lllb are attached thereto, converge together and are unitedat a point l2, where there is attached to said combined cords a cord l3, which may be a continuationof the cord la, which cord l3 extends parallel with the supplemental cords lb to ll'lb, at acentral positio'nwith respect to them, and passes over a suitable pulley or over the indicated portion l4 of the framing and is providedwith a handle, indicated at llc. The said portion of the framing is shown at l4 in Fig.3.

referred to in the'ensuing portion of the de-' scription, that any one of the cords lb to l0b may beoperated by being individually pulled upon by the handle pertaining to such individ: ual cord lb to I06, or that all the ten cords la to Illa may be operated by being simultane ously. pulled upon by grasping and pulling we handle llcattached to the cord l3 leading from the point l2 where the ten cords la'to Ina are united.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 6 and '7, it is'to be'noted that'the'bo'wlin'galley itself may be of the usual proportions, such as the length of sixty feet from the rear of the pit to the front of the apparatus The. playing pit 'is modified or altered from the usual construction, because there are no pin'flboys. The fioor-of the bowling alley is indicated at IS in Figs. 6 and 7, and the low sides of the bowling alley are indicated at l6, IT in Fig. 2. Upon each of said low sides l6, I! there are a suitable number of brackets or members l8, l9, two being represented in Fig. 2, respectively attached to said sides and extending slightly upward therefrom, and to the said brackets or members [8, H! are connected a suitable number of metallic uprights or rods, two of which areindicated at 20, 2! in Fig. 2. Two or more of such upright rods may be provided at each side of the apparatus, and at their upper ends they extend into or are otherwise suitably connected to longitudinally extending metallic channel members 22, 23.

shafts to be well adapted for the purpose of my invention.

In the disclosed embodiment of the inven-. tion', these shafts are horizontally positioned and extend from one side of the apparatus to the other, but it is to be understood that I may in other embodiments of my invention arrange shafts upright but have the cords from the re spective pins passed about them (as herein disclosed about the horizontally positioned shafts) or that in place of relatively long shafts, .such as shown, there may be stub shafts each receiving one or more of the cords from the pins. In any case the shafts or members are power driven.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a horizontally, transversely extending member of the framing of the apparatus at 34 and another at 35. Upon the transversely extending member 34 is mounted at a suitable point a small electric motor 33 from which extends a shaft 31 having .thereon a pulley 38 about which passes a driving belt 39 extending to a pulley 40 of suitable size and which is fast upon the first of the four shafts referred to, namely, the shaft 30. Fast upon said shaft 30 is a small pulley 4| about which passes a vbelt42 that passes also about a pulley 43 fast on the shaft 3l, which shaft 3l also has fast thereon a pulley 44 about which passes a belt 45 that extends about a pulley 46 fast on the shaft 32, which shaft 32 has also fast thereon a pulley about which passes a belt 48 that also passes about a pulley 49 fast upon the shaft 33. The said four shafts 30v to 33 are all driven at the same speed.

The apparatus is provided with four electrical switches. Switch #lis indicated diagrammatically at 50 in Fig. 1 and is shown also in Fig. 11.

Switch #2 is indicated at 5| in Fig. 1 and is shown also in "Figs. 1A and. 9, and will be subsequently more particularly referred to. Switches #3 and #4 are indicated respectively in Fig. 6 at 52, 53, and are also shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and will be subsequently more specifically referred to. I will hereinafter refer to said switches only by their ordin'als #1, #2, #3, #4.

The purpose of switch #1 is to turn on or turn off the motor 36 for driving the four shafts 30, 3|, 32, 33. This switch #1 is turned on prior to the commencement of play, so that the motor 36 runs continuously until it is stopped by turning off the said switch #1. When the switch #1 is turned on, the motor 33 is driven and through'the belts 39, 42, 45, 48 the said shafts 30, 3|, 32, 33 are all driven by said motor at the same speed, which may be a low speed.

or-==whatever:=. speed :is suitable forrthe: purpose namely, -,;to:i.=provide power-i means for \rotating constantly, so long asgthez-rplay continues,.-thev foura shafts ."or cord-receiving: rotatable. members i-31,132.; 3.3;

In. the dislclosedembodiment z ofathelinvention,

assalready indicated; :the- -four 1- cords from; the, ourzp ns ,7, 28,49,110 :are passed; de sirably rat a least once andif necessary -more'hthan;;once;;.or

it mayzbe only partia1ly,qaboutztheshaft '30:,"

Desirablyqsaid cordsrpass. about the:shaft 3fi'to;; the extentind-icated --in -Fig.,-. 1bwhere -one of theacordsiwhichmay, :for example, he thewcordy 1a,; is passed once completelyabout the .said

shaft. In; the same; manner the .cordsfrom the;

playing ,pins.,;l, 5, 5 are, passed: about the shaft 3!, the cords from the playing pins 2, 3 arerz passed similarly; about .the, shaft-.62 ;'an,d. .the

cord fromthe playing yin I is passed. similarly,..

about ..the.1,shaf t 33. A3-;.-,already. ,stated,. these,

thed-shaitsntdylfi, 32,. 33: extend;..hori zontally,

as shownin Fig. 8, ,oversuitable supportingintermediate ,rods nearly, tothe player-end of .the

apparatus. That is to say the supplemental cords ,lbto I {1b. extend. to .theplayer-end-of the apparatus and the cord, 13, to which. all the ten,

cords ia/to 16a are attached at the point i 2,

also extends ,to the'player-end of the apparatus,

where; they may be. received as ,.indicated. in

Figs. lOand lloi mysaidjPatent No. 2,440,013. If'the-power means which has just.v been,de-, scribed were not provided, and it were necessary to elevate the playing pins solely by manual j pullijupon their respective cords, it willjbe evidentthat very considerable force would be necessary; inasmuch, as the bowling alley may have the-normal length-o1? sixty1. feet.. Inasmuch,"

however, as all ten cords pass loosely about the be understood that-a very slightpull uponany 7 one orall of the cords 'lato 10a will tighten such cordor cords about the said shaft-for shafts 3il to 33"and that these power-driven shafts,

the cord orcords *hav 'b thusfightened about them, will 'feed,-transport or move said cord or-cords lengthwise forward-and thus elevate the corresponding pin orpins very quickly and merely 'as the result of the very slight manual: forceemployed by the player intighteningthe cord or: cords about the shaft or shafts3fl to 331;- Ascsoon asthe' player relaxes his slightpullfon EIIIYACOI'Q or corda'the corresponding shatfts Sikto Siiceaseto feed, transporter-move said.=.cord or cords, the iriction between the cords .and'shafts-having suiiiciently" lessened. f

Thus. force to sthe handle He, and therefore to the cord "13 whichjis united at. 12 to all ten cords by applying merely enough pullingla to Smell the ten .pins from .i to it! areelevated vquickly because all ten-cords. la to um: have been ztightened about 1 the shafts 3ll to '33.:

Or any one or more of the handles 2.0 to itc 'may be grasped andslightly pulled "upon and,

through the corresponding supplemental cords ib to 1th, andthe. main, cords i i a to iii-many. one

or. more of the ten pins ..maybe individually" quickly elevated.

Although I have referred to four shafts 3B,.3l,

32, 33; it istobe understood thatwithother arrangements or set-ups of the pins, the number ofsshaftsiSil to 33;is or maybe correspondingly varied, thenumber of shafts 3G to 33idepending entirely upon thearrangement or set-up of the pins. and the number. of:pins..

20 cords 1a to. l0a, after passing.asdescribedabout closing: of switch #2' many "suitable he'rein'as shown in Fig; lAland hence the.op.-.

The apparatus is provided 5 above the: setting- 1- up positionof the playing .pins with-two: guide plates constituting a further improvement upon the construction shownin my .said Patent.No.--' 2,440,013. I In the present construction the two" guide plates are shown generallyat'M andg55 in Figs. 4 and 5, and also in Figs; 2,3 and 6. They-.-

are botharectangular in. form,--and: since; in

accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, the ten pins are set up in the triane gular arrangement-which has been referred to.

both ofthe. said guide plates54, 55 are provided 7 with ten holes therethrough and arranged in accordance with'theset-up of the'pins. The

upperguide .plate 544s hung or supported directly' from cross members of the 'framing;:one

being indicated attfiainz Figs. 2 and 3, by means of a suitable .numberuof-cords or like flexible members 51', two being shown in-Fig. .2.

Four-- such membersi'ltare provided, being attached tothe four hooks 58, shown in Fig.4. The holes'in the plate 54; herein ten in numbenare all indicated bythenumeralt and :they are merely;

large/enough to permitthe ready passage therethrough of the cords from theten pins I to "H1.

Tl1e:-tenholes through the lower guide plate Stare all indicated. at BB, and they are large enough to permit the pins. l to ID to be elevated.

therethrough; .or partially therethroughf until slightly: until i said upper guide plates permits the they come in contact. with the lower face of the upper guide plate 54,; as-indicated-in Fig.3, and when they do .so. contactwith the, lower facet of the upper guide plate 54, they elevate the same, Ti

manner instantly the coiled spring 540 closes said switch.

#2 and starts motor #2,

supportedpfrom and beneath the upper guide platev fi thy a suitable number (herein ,four) of.

Thesaid second gui deplate. 55 is rflexibly cords or other-flexiblemembers 6|, two of which areindicated-in Figs. 2 and 3 and hooks for which are indicated at.6,2 .in Fig- 3 and also in Fig.5;

at thefour corners .of said lower guide plate 55.

The purposecf the lower guide plate 55-isto sort out,- tostraightenand to steady the playing pins sothat they are readyto drop through; the d said lower. plate 55 onto the playing surface in the, proper set-up position.

Referringnextto Figs, 6 and 7, the pit, into which .thepinsare knocked and into which the, balls roll,,is .locatedin the rear ofthe set-up. position of the pins. asbest, generally indicated in Fig. 6 at,,63. It is composed, of four down-.

wardlysloping, ,rectangularly arranged members which convergetoward the center of thepit, two ofthem beingindicated at 64,-55in Fig.6. The

.lower portion of.,the,pit may he of the generally. rectangular shape indicatedinFigs. 6 and. '7, so as. to receivetherein, the rolled-ball receptacleelevator indicatedv at 56,..whichdesirably has a transverselyltapered but elongated bottom indicated atfil. Said. receptacle-elevator is indicated in its. downposition in the pit in full,

lines in Figs. 6 and 7, and is indicated in its upper tilted positionin dotted lines in said Figs;

6 and-7, at which upper position-it discharges .the ball-or balls-into-the chute 68*at the side" of'the apparatus. The saidchute 68 extends to the player-end of the bowling alley so that the balls deposited therein by the said receptacle-elevator roll to the player-end of the bowling alley, though my invention is not restricted to returning the ball all the way to the player end of the bowling alley.

In order to support and to operate the said receptacle-elevator 66, the following construction is provided.

Upon the cross member 35 of the framing, as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted motor #2, indicated at 69. Extending therefrom is a shaft 10 havin fast thereon a pulley 1| about which passes a driving belt 12 that extends about a pulley 13 fast on a'transverse shaft 14 mounted in suitable bearings15, 16 upon the longitudinally extending members of the frame on which the bearings 28, 29 for the shafts 30 to 33 are mounted. Fast upon the shaft. 14 is one end of a cord 11, best shown in Figs. 6' and -7, which, as there illustrated, passes about -'a guide pulley or member 18 extending from an upright member 19 of the framing of the apparatus. The said upright member 19 is in part at least of a general channel form, as indicated at 19a, 1912, Fig. 7A, to receive a vertically slidable member 86 of sufficient weight for the purpose to be described, and which is provided with two extending pins 8| 82, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the pin 8| being located near the upper end of the slide 88 and the pin 82 near the lower end thereof, as shown in Fig. 7.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the receptacle-elevator 66 has attached thereto near its opposite ends two flexible, non-elastic bands or belts 83, 84, which may be of canvas or other suitable flexible material and which, at their lower ends, are provided with lengthwise extending, rigid strips 85, 86, desirably of wood and triangular in cross section, for the purpose of deflecting a ball striking them to one side or the other into the receptacle-elevator 66.

The said bands or belts 83, 84, shown in Figs. 1, 6 and '7, are connected at their upper ends to the shaft 14, previously referred to. One of the said bands or belts 83, 84 (namely, the band or belt 84) is provided with a formation which may be referred to as of a general knob-like structure or enlargement, indicated at 81 in Fig. 6. The purpose of the said formation or knoblike projection 81 is to cause more rapid winding of the band or belt 84 about the shaft 14 than the winding of the band or belt 83 when, in the lifting of the receptacle-elevator 66, it arrives at or about at some such position as that indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6. Such more rapid winding of the band or belt 84 causes the receptacle-elevator 66 to tilt as shown in Fig. '7, so that the ball or balls roll into the chute 68 and return to the player-end of the bowling alley. This tilting occurs when the receptacle-elevator 66 has reached a height above the chute 68.

It will be understood that switch #2, shown at in Fig. 1, is suitably connected by the wiring of the circuit for the motor #2, shown at 69 r in Fig. 1, so that when the upper guide plate 54 is elevated into a position to operate said switch #2, it will cause the starting of said motor #2.

Means are provided whereby, after the receptacle-elevator 66 has dumped its contents of balls as hereinbefore described into the return chute 68, the direction of rotation of the shaft 14 upon which the bands or belts 83, 84 are wound, is

reversed thereby to enable the said-receptacle-- elevator 56 to descend to its position at the bot tom of the pit 63 by gravity.

This is accomplished by means of switch #4, Figs. 6, 9 and 10. The said switch #4 is a reversing switch to stop the further lifting movement of the receptacle-elevator 66, allowing the shaft 14 to reverse its direction of motion until the said receptacle-elevator 66 has returned by gravity to its bottom position, shown in full lines in Figs. 6 and 7. However, switch #3 shuts off the power to the motor #2 after the receptacleelevator 66 has returned to its bottom position.

Switch #2 starts the elevator motor which con tinues to operate until reversed by switch #4, and until it is shut off by pin 8| as shown in Fig. 10.

Switch #4, indicated in Figs. 6, 9 and 10, is merely a reversing switch; that is to say, it is not an on-and-off switch. It does not cut ofl the power to motor #2. It merely controls the direction of motion of the said motor #2. This is necessary because of the up-and-down movements of the receptacle-elevator 66, which have already been described.

Referring again to the vertically slidable member and to the two pins 8|, 82 laterally extending from near the upper end and the lower end thereof respectively, as the said vertically slidable member 80 rises, the bottom pin 82 thereof engages an arm or part extending from switch #4, thereby reversing the receptacle-elevator motor #2, and when it does so the said member 88 immediately descends of its own weight. As the said vertically slidable member 80 descends, the upper pin 8| extending therefrom acts on both the switches #3 and #4. This causes the switch #4 to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor #2, and switch #3, when thus operated, cuts off the current to the elevator motor #2. As stated, switch #4 merely changes the direction of rotaiton of the elevator motor 69 (motor #2). As already stated, the current to motor #2 is provided by switch #2, which switch #2, as stated, is operated by the upper guide plate 54 when the latter is lifted for the purpose of resetting the playing pins.

The function of the lower pin 82 on the vertically slidable member 86 is, when said member 80 ascends, to reverse again the current to motor #2. Switch #2 and switch #3 respectively start and stop the elevator motor #2. They both are so arranged in the circuit that each operates independently of the other. The switch #3 is provided with a spring which keeps it normally closed.

When the entire mechanism is at rest and the elevator motor #2 is oi, the switch #4 provides a definite direction of rotation (say clockwise) for the elevator shaft 14. Such switch #4 is merely a means for changing the direction of rotation of the armature of the said motor elevator #2. The current itself for such motor #2 is supplied by means of switch #2, and the current is turned off from said motor #2 by switch #3, which switch #3, as already described, is operated by the pin 8| extending from the vertically slidable member 80.

A player could, if desired, manually elevate the vertically slidable member 80, having the said two pins 8|, 82, to effect release of switch #3 thereby to cause the elevator motor #2 to perform its lifting operation upon the said vertically slidable member 80, and the cord and pulley vconnecti'on'with. the shaft" causes the vertical- "1y slidable member 80 torise until the :lowerrpin 82-has reached such a height'as toltrip switch -#4,'thereby to reverse :the elevator motor #2. When-the-said elevator motor #2 isthus reversed, "the rotation of the shaft 14 is reversed, and the cord 11 is unwound, causing thevertically slidable member 80 to descend. by its own" -weight, w and the upper pin 8| acts on both switches #3 -and #4, causing said switch #4 to-reverseagain the current to motor #2 andcausing switch #3 toshut off the current'of the said-elevator motor It will be understood from the foregoing description that the operation of the entire .ap-- paratus is what may-be'termed' semi-automatic.

That is to say, the receptacle-elevator 66 ismoved up and down automatically, but thepin-setting mechanism is manually controlled by a slight hand pull upon the: desired cord orcordsa t Illa-in the manner already described. Having thus described one-illustrative"embodi- I claim: I 1; Player-operated bowlingapparatus-for use in usual bowling alleys comprising :at: least one ball and a set of pins'to-be knocked over, aseries of'non-elastic cords respectively attached a-t-one end to the. pins and :thence extendingltorand of the cords respectively and corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when -set, at least one cord-receiving rotatablemember supported above the set position of the'pins and at least partially about which the cords .r; from said pins extend in their courseto the player-end of the apparatus, so that one or more of said cords may be slightly manually pulled .upon at the player-end of the apparatus to increase the friction betweensaid cord or cords and said'at least one rotatable-member, a motor for rotating said at least one member, whereby the tightening of the cord or cords upon the-said at least one rotating member by slight pull at the player-end upon the-cord or cordsresults in the application to said-cord orcords of the pullingforce of said at least one rotating member, and thereby reduces markedly the .pulling -"force that must be manually used bya player in pulling'upon the said cord or cords sufficiently to elevate the pin or pins from the playing :sur-

face, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator which. upon elevation discharges balls into the return chute, a second motor to operate said' elevator, and meansroperated by the lifting of the said guide plate by the pins in the pin s'etting action. to operate said second motor thereby to lift said elevator.

2. Player-operated bowling apparatus for use in usual bowling alleys comprising at leastone '=ball and a set of pins to be knocked over, .a series of non-elastic cords, respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence eXtending-to and supported in convenient position to be pulledtby the player 'orplayers when .standing at the player :'end ofthe "bowling alley when the pins or any .of them'ihave been knocked down by a rolled ball, rotatable -pinelevating -means and a vertically movablenguide plate supported verticallyover 5 I the pins forzup-and-down movement and having --holestherethrough' for the passage only of the cords respectively and corresponding in number -and -playing position toallthe pins when set, atleast-one cordreceiving rotatable shaft supported above the-set-position of the pins and at least partially about which the cords from said pins extendinthein-course to the player-end oi-the. apparatus sothat oneor more of said cords maybe grasped and slightly manually pulledeupon -at the player-end of theapparatus to increasethe friction between said cord or cords and-said-atleast one rotatable shaft, a motor for ----rotating at least one shaft, whereby the tightening of thecord or cords against the said at least "oneshaftiby slight manual pullthereon at the player-end of the apparatus results-inthe ap- -plication :ofrthe :pulling force of said at least one rotatingshaft to,-the said cord or cords, and therebyreduces markedly the pulling upon -the-said-cord:or cords sufliciently to elevate the pin or pins from the playing surface, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevatorwhich upon elevation discharges =balls into-the return chute, a. second motor to operate said elevator, andmeans op- ;m erated by r the lifting of the said guide "plate. by the :pinsin-tthe pin-setting action,- to operate saidsecondmotor thereby usliftsaid .i elevator.

. 3;.A:constructionin accordance with-claim 2, wherein as the rotatable. pin-elevating means supported labove the set position .of the pins,

- there isi-provided a series of substantially horizontally positioned, cord-receiving, rotatable shafts aboutwhich thecords from thepinsselectively extend in their course to the player-end of .w the apparatus, .-for=-the purpose of applying the .pullingforce-"ofsaidrot'ating shafts to the said A cord or cords.

4. A bowling apparatus in accordance with I claim 2-- whereinas the rotatable pin-elevating means supported above the set position of" the .-pins,- there is provided a setof four horizontallypositioned cord-receiving rotatable shafts sub- -stantially directly abovethe set position 'of" the pins. and about -each of which shafts extends Oneormoreo'ithecordsfroni the pins, for" the purpose stated.

v -5. Player-operatedbowlingapparatus for use 1 in usual bowling 'alleyshaving used-ball chutes, :c mprising -atleastone'balliahd a s'etofpins tow-be knocked over-thereby, a series. of non- -.elastic-co'rds respectively attached at one 7 end to-the-pins and thence extending to and supported -in "convenient position to be pulled .by the player-i orflplayers when standing at" the I player-end 'of the bowling'alley when thepins -,or anyfof themhave been kndck'edfdownlby a rolled b'all',two vertically movable guide plates --supported vertically overlthe'pins" for up a'nddownmovement each ofsaid guide plates havin holes .therethrough forthe passage of said cords respectively,w the -holes:in theupperguidefplate -beingmerely -large enough to permit the ready passage therethroughof. the cords from thepins and. the holes in the 7 lower plate being merely -large enough to. permitthe at least partial elevation -therethrough-. of the pins, said holes corresponding in number-and playing position to all the .pins': when set, r cord-like .means for .rsupporting thenauppeiy guide. plate from. the framing of thesapparatus-and cord-like means 1 for supportin the lower guide plate from the said upper guide plate, a plurality of shafts above the upper one of said vertically movable guide plates, said non-elastic cords passing over said shafts, a motor for rotating said shafts, a rolledball receptacle-elevator to deposit, when'elevated, used balls in the return chute, a second motor to operate said elevator, and means operated by the lifting of said upper guide plate by the pins in the pin-setting operation to cause said second motor to operate to lift said elevator to deposit the used balls in such return chute.

6. Player-operated bowling apparatus for use in usual bowling alleys having ball-return chutes comprising at least one ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, a series of nonelastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to and supported in convenient position to be pulled by the player or players when standing at the player-end of the bowling alley when the pins or any of them have been knocked down by a rolled ball, two vertically movable guide plates supported vertically over the pins for upanddown movement, each of said guide plates having holes therethrough for the passage of said cords respectively, the holes in the upper guide plate being merely large enough to permit the ready passage therethrough of the cords from the pins and the holes in the lower plate being merely large enough to permit the at least partial elevation therethrough of I the pins, said holes corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when set, cord-like means for supporting the upper guide plate from the framing of the apparatus and cord-like means for supporting the lower guide plate from the said upper guide plate, a series of horizontally-sup ported cord-receiving shafts substantially directly' above said upper guide plate and about which the cords from the pins respectively extend and thence extend onward toward the player-end of the apparatus, a motor to rotate said shafts, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator to deposit, when elevated, used balls in the return chute, a second motorto operate said elevator, and means operated by the lifting of said upper guide plate by the pins in the pin-setting operation to cause said second motor to operate to lift said elevator to deposit the used balls in such return chute.

7. Player-operated bowling apparatus for use in usual bowling alleys comprising at least one ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, a series of non-elastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to and supported in convenient position to be pulledby the player or players when standing at the player-end ofthe bowling alley when the pins or any of them have been knocked down by a rolled ball, two'vertically movable guide plates supported vertically over the pins for up- 'and-down movement, each of said guide plates having holes therethrough for the passage of saidcords respectively, the holes in the upper guide plate being merely large enough to permit the ready passage therethrough of the cords from the pins and the holes in the lower plate being merely large enough to permit the at least partial elevation therethrough of the pins, said holes corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when set, cord-like means for supporting the lowerguide-plate' from-the said upper guide plate, a series of shafts horizontally supported substantially directly above said upper guide plate and about which the cords from said pins respectively extend, and thence extend onward toward the player-end of the apparatus, a motor for rotating said series of shafts, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator, a second motor to operate said elevator, and means operated by the lifting of the upper guide plate by the pins to cause said second motor to operate to lift said elevator.

8. Player-operated bowling apparatus for use in usual bowling alleys comprising at least one ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, a series of non-elastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to and supported in convenient position to be pulled by the player or players when the pins or any of them have been knocked down by a rolled ball, a vertically movable guide plate supported vertically over the pins for upand-downmovement, said guide plate having holes therethrough for the passage of only the cords respectively, said holes corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when set, a series of shafts horizontally supported substantially directly above said guide plate and about which the cords from the pins extend, amotor for said series of shafts, a pit in the rear of the set position of said pins and into which fall pins knocked down by at least one'rolled ball and also said at least one rolled ball, a rolled ball receptacle-elevator, a shaft for operating said receptacle elevator, flexible means attached to said receptacle-elevator and extending to said shaft, and means operated by the lifting of said guide plate by the pins in the pin-setting action to operate said second motor, thereby to rotate said shaft, thereby to lift said receptacle-elevator with the at least one rolled ball therein.

9. Player-operated bowling apparatus for use in usual bowling alleys comprising at least one ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, a series of non-elastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to and supported in convenient position to be pulled by the player or players when the pins or any of them have been knocked down by a rolled ball, a vertically movable guide plate supported vertically over the pins for up-and-down movement, said guide plate having holes therethrough for the passage of only the cords respectively, said holes corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when set, a series of shafts horizontally supported substantially directly above said guide plate and about which the cords from the pins extend, a motor for said series of shafts, a pit in therea'r of the set position of said pins and into which fall pins knocked down by at least one rolled ball and also said at least one rolled ball, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator, a shaft for operating said receptacle-elevator, two flexible bands attached to spaced-apart portions of said receptacle-elevator and extending to said shaft and adapted to be wound thereon,- and means operated by the lifting of said guide plate bythe pins in the pin-setting action to operate said second motor, thereby to rotate said shaft, thereby to wind said bands onto said shaft and thereby to lift said receptacle-elevator with the for supporting the upper guide plate from the framing of the apparatus and cord-like means 'at least one rolled ball therein.

10. Player-operated bowling apparatus for'use in usual bowling alleys comprising at least one ball and aset of pins to be knocked over thereby,

by the'player or players when the pins or any of them have been knocked down by arolled ball,-

a vertically movable guid-e plate supported verti'cally 'over the pins-for -up-and-down movement, said guide plate h'aving h'oles therethrough for the passage of only the cords respectively; said holes corresponding innumber and playingposition to' all the-pins when set, aseries of shafts horizontally supportedsubstantially directly '=-'above-said:guide plate and aboutwhich the cords from the pins extend, a motor'for said series of shafts,'a pit in therear of the set position of said pins and into'which fall pins 'l'znocked'do'wn' by atleastonerolledball and also said atleast one rolled-ball, a rolled-ballreceptacle-elevator, a shaft fonoperating'said receptacle-elevator, flexible means attached to said" receptacle-elevator and extending to said'shaft, andmeans operated by theiliftingof said guide plate by'the pins in thepin-setting action to operate said second motor, thereby-to rotate said shaft, thereby to lift'said receptacle-elevator with the at least one" -rolled ball therein, and means to tilt said-receptacle-elevator when it reaches an elevated position and a return chute into which the at least one" ballisdeposited from said tilted receptacleelevator.

- 11."Player-operatedbowling apparatus for use in usual bowling alleys comprising atleast one 'balland a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, -a series of non-elastic 'c'ords respectively attached at one'end' to the pins andthenceextending to 1 and supported in convenient position tobe'pulled bythe' player or players when the pins or any of them have been knocked down by a rolled ball, avertically movable guide plate supported'vertically overthe pins for up-and-down movement,

' said guide, plate having holes therethrough for thepassage of only the cords respectively, said I holes' corresponding in number and playing position to all the pinswh'en set, a seriesof shafts horizontally supported substantially directly means operated by the lifting of said guide plate by the pins in thepin-setting action to operate said second motor, thereby to rotate said shaft,

thereby to wind said bands onto said shaft and thereby to lift saidreceptacle-elevator with the at least one rolled ball therein, one of said flexible bands having a formation which causes the receptacle-elevator to tilt and discharge the'contained'at least one ball when, in the rotation of said shaft and the consequent winding of said I bands, said formation arrives atsaid shaft.

12. Player-operated bowling apparatus for use J *in usualbowling alleys comprising at least one ball and a set of pins to' be knocked over thereby, a series of non-elastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to J and supported inconvenient position to be pulled j by the player or players when the pins or any of themhave been-"knocked down by a rolledball,

a vertically movable guide plate supportedvertiscapee 7 tion to all thepins when' set; aseriesof shafts horizontally supported substantially -directly 1 above said guide plate'iandiaboutwhich the c'ords fromthe-epins extend, a motorfor said s'eries of shafts, a 'pit in the rear of the set position of said pins and into which fall pinstknocked downby f at leastone rolled ball" and also said. at least one rolled ball, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator, a sh'aft for operating said receptacle-elevaton- 'two fiexible bands attached to spaced-apart portions 1 of said receptacle-elevator and -extending' to 'said shaft i and adapted tobe wound thereon-and means operated by the lifting of said guide plate by the pins: in' the pin-setting action to-" operate said second 'motofl-thereby to rotatesaid shaft, thereby-to wind 'said -bands into said shaftand thereby to lift saidreceptacle-elevatoriwith' 'the at least "one rolled ball-therein,oneof said flex- 1 ible' -bands-"having ai knob-lil'ze projection-thereon I which causes the receptacle-elevator i totilt' and discharge the contained at ileast one ball 1 when, in the rotation of said shaft and-the consequent winding: up of saidbands, said formation arrives w atsaid-shaft.

131- Player operat'ed bowling apparatus for use musua1 bowling alleys comprising at least one tencling'to and supported in convenient position "-to' be pulledzl by the player or players*when' the *pins or any of-them have been knocked down by a rolled ball, a series of substantiallyhorizontally positionedcord-receiving rotatable shaftsabout'which the eo'rdsfrom-the pins selectively extend in' their-'- course to the player-endbf' the apparatus, for theypurpose of applying the power-pulling force ofsaid rotating shafts to said cords, whereby the tightening'of the-cords against the said shafts ,--by slightma'nual pull thereon at the player-end of; the apparatus='re sults in the application of thepower-pulling in'g :upon said cords to elevate the pins fronr the playing 'surface, a motor to rotate said shafts, a vertically movable 'giiide plate supported verticallyover 'the 'pins -for up-and down' movement,

said guide" plate 'havin'gholes therethrough' for thespassageonlyof the cords-respectively, said holes corresponding in number and playing position to 'allthe pins-"when' set, arolled ballreceptacle-elevator, a second motor to o'pe'rate'said elevator;and-means operated'by the lifting'of said guide plate'by the pinstooperate said sece d-motor}-thereby to "liftsaid elevator.

14. P1ayer operated bowling apparatus for" use ball and a set-of pi'nst'obe knocked over thereby, a' seriesof non-elastic cords respectively" at- -tac'hedat"one endto the pinsa'nd thenceextending to" and supported in convenient" position to be pulled by the playero'r players." when the pins or any of themhave been'knocked'down down'movementgj said guide plate having holes -='r espeeuve1 said "holescorres'ponding innumtherethr'ough for the passage only' of the cords "ber and"playing"'position to "all the "pinswh'en set, said guide plate being attached to be lift- .ed by said pins when the latter are lifted by said cords, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator, a

shaft for operating said receptacle-elevator, flex- .ible means attached to said receptacle-elevator and extending to said shaft to be wound upon said shaft, and thereby to lift said receptacleelevator, a motor to rotate said shaft and means operated by the lifting of said guide plate to operate said motor.

15. A player-operated bowling apparatus comprising at least one .ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, a series of non-elastic having holes therethrough for the passage only of the cords respectively, said holes corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when set, said guide plate being adapted to be lifted by said pins when the latter are lifted by said cords, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator, a shaft for operating said receptacle-elevator, flexible means attached to said receptacle-elevator and extending to said shaft to be wound upon said shaft, and thereby to lift said receptacle-elevator, amotor to rotate said shaft, and

' means operated by the lifting of said guide plate prisin at least one ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, a series of non-elastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to and supported in convenient position to be pulled by the player or players when the pins or any of them have 7 been knocked down by a rolled ball, a vertically movable guide plate supported vertically over the pins for up-and-down movement, said guide plate having holes therethrough for the passage only of the cords respectively, said holes corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when set, said guide plate being adapted to be lifted by said pins when the latter are lifted by said cords, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator, a shaft for operating said receptacle-elevator, flexible means attached to. said receptacleelevator and extending to said shaft to be wound upon said shaft, and thereby to lift said receptacle-elevator, a motor to rotate said shaft, and means operated by the lifting of said guide plate to operate said motor, motor controlled switch for said motor and located in operative relation thereto, thereby to control the operation of said last-mentioned motor'for the lifting of said receptacle-elevator, and means to reverse the direction of rotation of said receptacle-elevator shaft to enable said receptacle-elevator to descend to its lowest position by gravity.

17. A player-operated bowling apparatus comprising at least one ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, a series of non-elastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to and supported in convenient position to -be pulled by the player or players when the pins or any of them have been knocked down by a rolledball, a vertically movl6 able guide, plate supported vertically over the pins for up-and-down movement, said guide plate .having holes; therethrough for the passage only of the cords respectively, said holes corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when set, said guide plate being adapted to be pliftedby said pins when the latter are lifted by said cords, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator,

- a shaft for operating said receptacle-elevator and extending to said shaft to be wound upon said "shaft, and thereby to lift said receptacle-elevator, a motor to rotate said shaft, and means operated by the lifting of said guide plate to operate said motor, motor controlled switch for said motor and located in operative relation thereto, thereby to control the operation of said last-mentioned motor for the lifting of said receptacle-elevator, and a reversing switch to reverse the direction or rotation of said last-mentioned motor for said receptacle-elevator shaft, thereby to enable the said receptacle-elevator to descend to its lower position by gravity.

18. Player-operated bowling apparatus for use in usual bowling alleys comprising at least one ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, a series of non-elastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to and supported in convenient position to be pulled by the player or players when the pins or any of them have been knocked down by a rolled ball, a vertically movable horizontally positioned guide plate supported vertically by flexible strands directly above the set position of said pins, said guide plate being adapted to be lifted by said pins when the latter are lifted by said cords, a motor supported upon a stationary part of said apparatus, a motor controlling switch supported upon a stationary part of the apparatus adjacent the path of movement of said guide plate when so lifted by said pins, whereby said switch is permitted by said guide plate when so lifted to function, a shaft operated by said motor, and a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator which is lifted by the rotation of said shaft by said motor when said motor is activated by said switch.

19. A player-operated bowling apparatus in accordance with claim 18, wherein means are provided to reverse the direction of said motor and consequently of said shaft when said elevator has reached its highest position.

20. A player-operated bowling apparatus in accordance with claim 18, wherein a switch isprovided to reverse the direction of rotation of said motor when said elevator has reached its highest position, and means for automatically operating said switch.

21. Player-operated bowling apparatus for use in usual bowling alleys comprising at least one ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, a series of non-elastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to and supported in convenient position to be pulled by the player or players when the pins or any of them have been knocked down by a rolled ball, a vertically movable guide plate supported vertically over the pins for up-and-down movement, said guide plate having holes therethrough for the passage of only the cords respectively, said holes corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when set, a series of shafts horizontally supported directly above said guide plate and about which the cords from the pins extend, a motor for said series of shafts, a pit in the rear of the set position of said pins and into which fallpins knocked down bvat least one rolled ball cally movable member lifted by the rotation of 10 said shaft by said motor and a switch operated by said vertically movable member to control said motor.

22. Player-operated bowling apparatus for use in usual bowling alleys comprising at least one 15 ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, a series of non-elastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to and supported in convenient position to be pulled by the player or players when the pins or any of 20 them have been knocked down by a rolled ball, a vertically movable guide plate supported vertically over the pins for up-and-down movement, said guide plate having holes therethrough for the passage of only the cords respectively, said 2 holes corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when set, a series of shafts horizontally supported substantially directly above said guide plate and about which the cords from the pins extend, a motor for said series of shafts, a pit in the rear of the set position of said pins and into which fall pins knocked down by at least one rolled ball and also said at least one rolled ball, a receptacle-elevator, a shaft for operating said receptacle-elevator, flexible means attached to said receptacle-elevator and extending to said shaft, means operated by the lifting of said guide plate by the pins in the pin-setting action to operate said second motor, thereby to rotate said shaft, thereby to lift said receptacle- 4 elevator with the at least one rolled ball therein, a vertically slidable upright member lifted by the rotation of said shaft by said motor, and a plurality of switches to control said motor through the movements of said vertically slidable upright member.

23. Player-operated bowling apparatus for use in usual bowling alleys comprising at least one ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby,

a series of non-elastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to and supported in convenient position to be pulled by the player or players when the pins or any of them have been knocked down by a rolled ball, a vertically movable guide plate supported It.)

vertically over the pins for up-and-down movement, said guide plate having holes therethrough for the passage of only the cords respectively, said holes corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when set, a series of shafts horizontally supported substantially directly above said guide plate and about which the cords from the pins extend, a motor for said series of shafts, a pit in the rear of the set position of said pins and into which fall pins knocked down 65 by at least one rolled ball and also said at least one rolled ball, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator. flexible means attached to said receptacle-elevator and extending to said shaft, means operated by the lifting of said guide plate by the pins in the pin-setting action to operate said second motor, thereby to rotate said shaft, thereby to lift said receptacle-elevator with the at least one rolled ball therein, a vertically slidable upright member lifted by the rotation of said shaft by said motor, and a plurality of switches to control said motor through the movements of said vertically slidable upright member, one of said switches being constructed and arranged to reverse the direction of rotation of said shaft, thereby to permit said receptacle-elevator to descend.

24. Player-operated bowling apparatus for use in usual bowling alleys comprising at least one ball and a set of pins to be knocked over thereby, a series of non-elastic cords respectively attached at one end to the pins and thence extending to and supported in convenient position to be pulled by the player or players when the pins or any of them have been knocked down by a rolled ball, a vertically movable guide plate supported vertically over the pins for up-and-down movement, said guide plate having holes therethrough for the passage of only the cords respectively, said holes corresponding in number and playing position to all the pins when set, a series of shafts horizontally supported substantially directly above said guide plate and about which the cords from the pins extend, a motor for said series of shafts, a pit in the rear of the set position of said pins and into which fall pins knocked down by at least one ball and also said at least one ball, a rolled-ball receptacle-elevator, a shaft for operating said receptacleelevator, flexible means attached to said receptacle-elevator and extending to said shaft, means operated by the lifting of said guide plate by the pins in the pin-setting action to operate said second motor, thereby to rotate said shaft,

I thereby to lift said receptacle-elevator with the at least one rolled ball therein, a vertically slidable upright member, one of said switches being constructed and arranged to reverse the direction of rotation of said shaft, thereby to permit said receptacle-elevator to descend by gravity to its lowest position.

JOSEPH E. LAIEERRIERE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

